When we gather, our confidence, ease, pleasure, and responsibility can be enhanced or degraded.
It's in our hands to create a good space through self care and attention to others. If you have questions, please ask me.
No experience is required. No pressure to move like others. This is a practice. We offer meditative attention to feeling our body, noticing what’s up, and playing with movement.
No body is preferred or disdained. We practice mutual respect.
Consent is our way, for all partner and group dances and specific guided activities and teachings. Consent is extended & withdrawn with no need for explanation. You may opt in or out.
Classes and workshops are emotion-positive, body-positive, sexuality-positive, mind-positive, and spirit-positive spaces.
Let your body do the talking. To chat/catch up/comment, leave the floor. If you need to communicate, use simple words, e.g. Are you okay? Stop. I’m injured. Thank you. Sorry I bumped you.
Silence and put away phones. No photos, videos or music-grabbing apps. (Using tech to monitor a health condition or to be on-call as a medic or caregiver? Please go ahead, of course.)
As much as possible, open your eyes. (Lower and partly close them whenever you like.) If you choose to shut them for a while, move to the edge of the floor for mutual safety.
If you choose to leave a session early, come notify me, so I know you’re not injured or in distress.
Chairs are available for seated practice. If you don't see a seat you can use, ask us.
Yes, you can dance in presence with others! Approaching and responding to others is an integral part of this practice. To say no to a dance, turn or move away or hold up a “no thank you” hand. To say yes, turn toward them or nod. To move on, use a respectful parting gesture that feels natural and clear.
There are no spectators here. When taking a pause from vigorous movement to practice restfully, we remain an engaged member of the group. No need to go to the wall. We shift between energetic dance and embodied, engaged rest anywhere.
Please plan to arrive on time and stay for the whole practice (with the odd exception because life!). If work or family duties make this impossible, email me at chantell@chantellfoss.com.
Don't use intoxicants before or during class.
Minimize all scented products.
Bare feet or clean-bottom shoes, please.
Please wash on class day, and use deodorant. (You'll find deodorant in washrooms.)
Practical measures
Bring water in your own container. (And take it home with you.)
Indoors, there will be *a lot* of fresh-air ventilation in all seasons. Wear non-restricting layers so you can easily cool down or warm up.
If you have tender joints or injuries, it's a great idea to wear cushioned shoes.
It's okay to use a blanket for body-on-floor movement. Put it away when not dancing on it—to keep the floor open to all.
If you're prone to blood-sugar drops, bring an easy-access snack.
Outdoors, come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.